Bob owes us millions, say Boomtown Rats

Bob Geldof faces a multi-million pound legal battle with four former members of his old band the Boomtown Rats. They claim he owes them unpaid royalties from songwriting during the Seventies and Eighties when the group topped the charts with Rat Trap and I Don't Like Mondays.

Details of the legal bid were revealed by drummer Simon Crowe, guitarists Gerry Cott and Garrick Roberts, and John Moylett - the pianist who performed under the name of Johnnie Fingers. "We jointly confirm that with the utmost regret we are pressing ahead with claims against Bob Geldof and others for our rightful entitlement to a proper share of recording, publishing and merchandising income," a statement said.

Geldof was originally the manager of the Irish band which was formed in 1975, but soon found himself taking on the lead vocals. The group moved to London in 1976 and their debut single, Lookin' After No 1 was the first of nine straight singles to make the UK Top 40. The group folded in 1986.